I received a basketball for Christmas and spent afterschool hours, each day, perfecting my shot — until it became so dark, I could no longer see to shoot baskets. I have a photograph of my classmate Racky Smith and me beneath that old goal. Back then, classmates stayed together from first grade through high school.

On weekends, Mike Sinclair, who lived out on Kanuga Road, would invite several of us to visit him. His grandmother was Susie Sinclair, the legendary teacher at Flat Rock High School.

Many Saturdays were spent shooting hoops with Mike, who made competitive sports fun. Mike would later attend Stanford University and eventually become a professor of Asian studies at Wake Forest University; and Racky, after attending Clemson University, would work for Phillips Petroleum out in Oklahoma.

Judge Mitchell King, at the same time he donated land for the county seat, provided the land on Fourth Avenue West for schools (1841). Following the Civil War, a two-story wooden structure operated on this site as Hendersonville Academy.

The Hendersonville Graded School District was chartered by the General Assembly in 1901. In 1858, the Western North Carolina Female College, later known as Judson College, had been established on Fleming Street at Third Avenue.

This large stone structure was acquired by district trustees to house the first graded school, which opened on Oct. 14, 1901. Students were enrolled through the t10th grade until 1909, when an eleventh grade was added.

By 1911, Hendersonville Graded System occupied both the Judson College and the King properties.

On March 15, 1912, the existing brick building was dedicated and later became known as the Rosa Edwards School in honor of a long-time principal.

The school operated with 15 teachers for all grades. School was in session for four months until the 1915 legislature extended the school term to "not less than six months." In 1918, there were two sessions held — one for elementary students before noon and one for high school students in the afternoon.

By the 1919-20 school year, the Hendersonville Graded District operated with 800 students — all at Rosa Edwards.

To alleviate crowded conditions, the trustees purchased the Anderson-Noterman residence (site of Boyd Park) to house high school students.

The Class of 1922 numbered 24 students, The land purchased with the Anderson-Noterman property included seven acres envisioned as a site for a permanent high school facility (1926).

The Rosa Edwards School was continued until 1972.

Exploring old records, I came across an undated account of "School Memories" by James Burnside, a custodian.

"Dave" has this to say: "Around 1920, give or take one or two years, Dr. Staff became physical instructor. We had no organized sports at that time, but Dr. Staff taught us kids a valuable lesson — good sportsmanship."

In the foyer to the HCPS board room and auditorium is a "retired" school bell, no longer being used for the purpose for which it was intended, its years of active service only a memory.

The bell is "evidence of yesterday" for me and many others who were called to school by its ringing.

<p>When I observe the facilities for sports and recreation found in our schools today, I sometimes think back to the eight years I spent at Rosa Edwards School — from the mid-'40s until 1953. </p><p>The basketball goal was attached to a wooden backboard nailed to a large oak tree. The roots from the tree caused the ball to bounce sometimes in surprising ways. </p><p>Frequently, the basketball would roll down the hill into the lower playing field — or down the bank, behind the goal, into Buncombe Street. Still, my classmates and I remained determined.</p><p>Physical education facilities and instruction were almost non-existent. But, somehow, we seldom felt deprived.</p><p>I received a basketball for Christmas and spent afterschool hours, each day, perfecting my shot — until it became so dark, I could no longer see to shoot baskets. I have a photograph of my classmate Racky Smith and me beneath that old goal. Back then, classmates stayed together from first grade through high school. </p><p>On weekends, Mike Sinclair, who lived out on Kanuga Road, would invite several of us to visit him. His grandmother was Susie Sinclair, the legendary teacher at Flat Rock High School. </p><p>Many Saturdays were spent shooting hoops with Mike, who made competitive sports fun. Mike would later attend Stanford University and eventually become a professor of Asian studies at Wake Forest University; and Racky, after attending Clemson University, would work for Phillips Petroleum out in Oklahoma. </p><p>Judge Mitchell King, at the same time he donated land for the county seat, provided the land on Fourth Avenue West for schools (1841). Following the Civil War, a two-story wooden structure operated on this site as Hendersonville Academy. </p><p>The Hendersonville Graded School District was chartered by the General Assembly in 1901. In 1858, the Western North Carolina Female College, later known as Judson College, had been established on Fleming Street at Third Avenue. </p><p>This large stone structure was acquired by district trustees to house the first graded school, which opened on Oct. 14, 1901. Students were enrolled through the t10th grade until 1909, when an eleventh grade was added. </p><p>By 1911, Hendersonville Graded System occupied both the Judson College and the King properties. </p><p>On March 15, 1912, the existing brick building was dedicated and later became known as the Rosa Edwards School in honor of a long-time principal. </p><p>The school operated with 15 teachers for all grades. School was in session for four months until the 1915 legislature extended the school term to "not less than six months." In 1918, there were two sessions held — one for elementary students before noon and one for high school students in the afternoon. </p><p>By the 1919-20 school year, the Hendersonville Graded District operated with 800 students — all at Rosa Edwards. </p><p>To alleviate crowded conditions, the trustees purchased the Anderson-Noterman residence (site of Boyd Park) to house high school students. </p><p>The Class of 1922 numbered 24 students, The land purchased with the Anderson-Noterman property included seven acres envisioned as a site for a permanent high school facility (1926). </p><p>The Rosa Edwards School was continued until 1972.</p><p>Exploring old records, I came across an undated account of "School Memories" by James Burnside, a custodian. </p><p>"Dave" has this to say: "Around 1920, give or take one or two years, Dr. Staff became physical instructor. We had no organized sports at that time, but Dr. Staff taught us kids a valuable lesson — good sportsmanship."</p><p>In the foyer to the HCPS board room and auditorium is a "retired" school bell, no longer being used for the purpose for which it was intended, its years of active service only a memory. </p><p>The bell is "evidence of yesterday" for me and many others who were called to school by its ringing.</p>